If We Are Working the Process

January 23, 2017

I have been working at an agency that helps families. During a meeting in which my co-worker and I were having a hard time deciding what course of action we should take, my boss said; “If we are working the Process, we shouldn’t be confused!” Quite right!! We had not been following the order of things and we were confused about where we were and were we should head. Go back to the process!

What things in your life are confusing right now? Confusion can bring such anxiety and stress into our lives. If you find your self in this position right now, ask….”when did I start feeling confused or over whelmed?” That might help put you back to the beginning to a diversion of a road which you possibly should not be on. Ask yourself; “Who can I completely count on?” “What things do I do that keep me focused and headed in the right direction?”

These are some of the questions I ask my self when I feel lost and confused. I know the things that are not beneficial to me as well. Behaviors that do not  ultimately and completely benefit me or respect my person or take my family off course cannot be entertained. Certain things can be a temptation to me when I am tired, or hungry or wore out, but “the easy road” does not stay easy. It leads to way more work in the long run and usually some kind of repair….not worth it!

Keep your eyes looking straight ahead and forget what is behind! Today is a new day, and it’s the beginning of a new week of opportunity and new journeys! Stay the course, we are right here walking along with you!

What Are You Listening To?

January 2, 2017

My mom used to say; “turn down that rock music…your going to be deaf by the time your 30! Well, 30 seemed a really far way off back then, so I didn’t heed her wisdom. Guess what, now that I am pushing 50 I do struggle with hearing people speak.

What are the things that “pull” you, that you know really aren’t the best things you could be doing with your time, money or energy? Don’t blow it off! Slow down and pay attention to those little pricks you get in your conscience. Are you listening to news everyday that is giving you anxiety? Are you drawn to unhealthy life styles? Drinking too much alcohol or over eating? Maybe you avoid people and keep your self busy when you know you should be making some emotional connections with healthy relationships, but you are too afraid.

It is the beginning of a new year! It is the beginning of a new week! I am right here with you growing into the person I was created to be and I want to encourage you on your journey as well!! We all struggle with something. What has your ear that you know is detrimental? Like I said in/honestaromas.com/2016/12/28/the-journey-with-vigor/ last week,  we have to be able to sort out these things to have happy, healthy lives. You may not have the will power to over come struggles in your life, but there are people who can help you and God is invested in your success! It doesn’t make it easy, I know, but it is possible!

As far as aromatherapy can help in this process, Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) comes to mind! It helps reduce fear and motivate change, it reduces stagnation, and reduces fatigue, depression and low energy. It is also full of wonderful natural components that reduce inflammation, remove mucus, provide pain relief and so much more! We have several bottles in stock. Consider having a party or class and making some healing concoctions with this multi-functional  oil!

We are right here with you and we want to hear from you today!

The Journey With Vigor

December 28, 2016

Good Morning!! I just thought i would “sit down and have a chat with you face to face” this morning, that is my favorite kind of conversation:-)

I went to the doctor today, and you wouldn’t know it, but I am extremely anemic. It has been some thing I have been dealing with for many years. Scary suggestions have been presented to me, both of which I will not choose. 1. Get an iron transfusion, which is extremely risky, 2. Get a blood transfusion, which is a little less risky, but risky non-the -less! I choose 3. Seek out another opinion through a Holistic Doc. who has helped some one I know deal with their anemia. I would appreciate your prayers on my journey.

So, if you know any thing about anemia, you know that energy is non existent….so why would I name this “A Journey with Vigor”? Because, I have been on an interesting journey the last few years and although I have had times of wanting to give up, I refuse to let shortcomings hold me back! I Choose to be victorious in the plans God has for my life and I choose to live a pure life with Vigor! I choose it, like I choose to love even when I don’t feel it, I choose to change, I choose to set my mind on things above. I pray that all of these choices are wrapped in a beautiful, fragrant package of gentleness!

In studying God (and aromatherapy!), I have crossed paths with such interesting people! One person is Dr. Henry Cloud (in his book form;-) and he make an acute observation about God. That if we could cultivate these 4 things of God’s personality, we would greatly improve our day to day functioning. They are;

1. Bond with others.

2. Separate from others.

3. Sort out issues of good and bad.

4. Take charge as an adult.

He goes on to say that “without the ability to perform these basic God-like functions, we can literally remain stuck for years and growth and change can elude our grasp.”

I would have to say, these are the very issues I have been learning about and growing in; up close and personal, over the last few years! It hasn’t been easy, or pretty and smooth, but I believe it is right where I am supposed to be. I invite you on it with me!!

Speaking of Journeys, reminds me of Carrier Oils!! We use a carrier oil in Aromatherapy to dilute the essential oil before it is applied,but Carrier Oils also have their own therapeutic benefits that deliver that essential oil in it’s desired application. One of my favorite carriers, and one that Honest Aromas is going to start “carrying” (haha;-) Is Trauma Oil! I make custom blends for a handful of customers now with this superb blend of oils, helpful in it’s own right./honestaromas.com/2015/08/18/trama-oil/ helps with nerve pain and inflammation and when paired with anti-inflammatory or warming oils stops pain in it’s tracks.Click on the links I have included in this blog to learn more.

I am right here with you on your journey cheering you on! I am learning, growing and changing too! Let’s be better people, with Vigor, in every way in 2017!!

Forgive

December 26, 2016

Dr. Jesse Gill says; “Forgiveness is the substance of very strong people.”….Wow! That catches my attention because, I desire to be a strong person in a vulnerable kind of way. Now, I do not always want to forgive quickly, but I know that I must forgive to have freedom for my self and to have relationship with others.

In his relationship book, Face to Face, Dr. Jesse Gill offers some other helpful insights regarding forgiveness and intimacy in relationships. “God is so invested in having your spouse know His love that He wants to strengthen you in the toughest moments to be His arms of embrace stretched out to your spouse. There is no clearer illustration of this than the moments we do not feel like showing love.” Isn’t that true? That is so true in every relationship and those statements really encourage me to express that. Now, we cannot always control how others will or will not respond to that “stretching out”, but as far as it depends on us, we can be that to others.

Ultimately, we must “put on love” as Paul says in Colossians 3:14 which is ”
the bond of perfection.” We must put on love and forgive quickly and often-It is an active thing to do.

I often wonder if my readers wonder why I talk about relationships so much when this is an aromatherapy blog?! Well, it is also a Holistic Health blog, and our heart and attitude have more to do with health than what we put on or inside our body. But just in case you are curious about some new Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, I will make sure to highlight some this week! Have a great week enjoying what ever schedule you find your self in, and be active and forgive!!

We are right here with you and we want to hear from you today:-)

A Life That Matters

December 23, 2016

(Photo, Gabrielle Allman)

As I said in an earlier blog, Christmas time, although promoted as a warm, cozy, relational time, can be a time of anxiety and loneliness for many.

Those feelings beg me to ask, is my life a life that matters? If I do not feel what I am doing matters, I do not feel that my life matters. My friend, Lyndell Hetrick Holtz, wrote about this on her Heart Mender’s Blog-  I Too Want a Life that Matters, check it out! She has a very  concise  way of facing life’s hard things. She  often says; “Face it, Feel it, Free it”!

I gain great comfort in that when I consider the only way to any healing is to face the issue or failure head on. We tend to avoid  hard things because we think it is easier to do so. We do it in little ways or it can become Excessive Avoidance Disorder– and our culture is heaped in it. We avoid doing hard things, keeping commitments, and putting the work in first and it is destructive.

If we want to have holistic health, it is going to take more than swallowing a vitamin every now and then. It is going to take facing our dilemma,  whether we caused it or some one else did. Feel the pain of it, express it out loud, or write down your thoughts in a journal. And then open your hands and release it. I will stand where ever I am, lift my hands to God and tell Him all of my concerns. I will tell Him, I have no power over this, only the power to release it to you. And then I will say, I trust you are working all these things for good in my life and I release this to you. It is weighing me down, I feel insignificant, I feel like I am not seeing any benefit to getting up and doing what is right every day. Many times I will write that down and put it on my cupboard, to remind my self that it is not my burden.

To live a life that matters, we need to be different than the masses. Routines are awesome. Habits will work for our good or our detriment! If I get up every morning and pray and exercise, that is going to lead me to a different destination than having a cigarette with my coffee and do nut!! (You may chuckle, but this was my early life!!) Holistic health will effect all of your life and the little things you change will have an everlasting impact! If a plane takes off and it is even a little bit off it’s course, in the end of that trajectory, it is not going to land at it’s destination!

If you are sad, lonely and really struggling today, please consider what I have said. I want to help you with the help I have received. Check out Lyndell’s blog and other encouraging people like Rick Warren and Dr. John Townsend. You do not have to stay where you are! How do you want to have a life that matters? What do you want your destination to be?

We are right here with you cheering you on!! Head into the weekend, with a renewed sense of your life mattering. Lay aside the pressure from culture and  glean the true meaning of Christmas in the Gospels of, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John! We want to hear from you today:-)

Motivational Monday

December 19, 2016

Good Morning! Good Week!! It is a beautiful, cold and sunny day here in North West PA! There is a lot of excitement building for Christmas this coming weekend. The kids are antsy and distracted in school with parties and class Christmas movies!

Unfortunately, anxiety can be a big problems this time of year. I have said this before on some blogs,  I do not like all the hype that surrounds “Christmas”. I do not like crowds, parties are actually not my favorite….I would prefer deep, one- on- one conversation. I do not appreciate the expectation that is placed on us this time of year from advertisements and culture and it is hard to ignore.

Christmas, to me, is the birth of Christ. Because of sin, as is evident in the wounds, destruction, disfigurement and marring of people, relationships and the world, God sent His Son into the world! All of the despair that is in the world would be permanent and irreversible except that Jesus came to deliver us from our sin! (Matthew 1:21)

That is Good News Today! There are situations in my own life that seem hopeless, but with God all things are possible. They may be irreversible in human terms, but Not in God’s economy!

God is reaching out to you through the Christmas story and even as you are reading this saying; “I love you, I made a way for you, I want to spend eternity with you because I am madly in love with you.” Bitterness can go, forgiveness can be received and extended.” He lived so He could die for you (and me).

Receive the gift God sent you, It is the greatest gift you can ever receive or give<3

He's Always Been Faithful

December 12, 2016

Morning by morning I wake up to find The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine Season by season, I watch him amazed, In awe of the mystery of his perfect ways

All I have need of his hand will provide He’s always been faithful to me

I can’t remember one single regret In serving God only and trusting his hand I can’t remember a trial or a pain He did not recycle to bring me gain

All I have need of his hand will provide He’s always been faithful to me

This is my anthem, and this is my song The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long God has been faithful; he will be again His loving compassion – it knows no end

(Chelsea Moon and Uncle Daddy- Hymn Project 1)

A friend sent this to me and I LoVe the song! I love the second verse;

I can’t remember one single regret in serving God only and trusting his hand. I can’t remember a trial or a pain He not recycle to bring me gain. 

The truth is, I remember many regrets of times I tried to serve my self!! But if I look back over my life, even in the most excruciating circumstances, when I followed Him, He only ever produced green ness in my life; fruit, peace of mind, joy and a clean conscious. And the times that I have had pain or trial (usually from some failure on my part), He does not waste anything. He is the ultimate Earth- Day -Celebrator, Recycle er extraordinaire!!! But even so much more when working with souls.

That line gives me the remembrance I need today to move forward in trust, casting all my anxieties on Him. He cares for us, He wants us to succeed more than any other person on the planet….. No the Universe! He is faithful even when I am not.

If you do not know this faithfulness, turn to Him today. No matter if you have been a Christian all your life, part of your life, or you are not a Christian- God, through His Son Jesus is always right there waiting with expectation for you to turn to Him.

Blessings on your week<3

A Song in My Heart

December 7, 2016

You don’t have to look very far to see brokenness in our world. We have broken relationships, health, finances, systems, the list never ends. It can be hard to find a song to sing sometimes, unless that song is one of brokenness and pain!!

My brother recently said this to me;

He said it after he heard me sing a song the I wrote from my heart, it spoke to him. He was glad and able to see I had a song to sing, because he understands the journey I’ve been on. The song that I wrote speaks of the brokenness that I’ve experienced, but it also speaks of Hope.

The Hope I find is the only Hope I think is true. It is not in what I earn, or my status, or the lottery, or even my health….it is in God. He is my hope and I want to offer you that hope to you. I believe that 2000 ish years ago, God sent His son in the form of human baby, and celebrate that at Christmas. I believe He lived as a man for 33 years, even though He was fully God at the same time. I believe that He died, and was buried and was raised again by the power of the Holy Spirit after 3 days, just like He said He would. I believe He was taken up into heaven and is sitting at the right hand of His Father until He comes again to set up His perfect kingdom on earth.His name is Jesus. ( For the whole story read the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John in The Bible.)

My hope is in that. No matter what goes on in this broken world, or my broken life, He is what I look to and for. God loves me, forgives me, accepts me, and I am pleasing to Him and that puts a song in my heart! I believe your song is hope, and I sing that over you today whether you can sing  along with me or you have forgotten it’s words<3

One Thing I Do

October 13, 2016

This pic was taken at one of my favorite parks in Pennsylvania during a recent Anniversary weekend with my husband. This picture paints a thousand words in my mind. It was a significant weekend for us because we had been separated prior to this trip. When we went there last year, we did not think we would ever return there as a couple and I did not even want to take any pictures to document our time there.

We have been through a lot in the last several years. Many things had taken a toll on our marriage and we both reached points where we really didn’t want to work at it any more.

When you are weak and tired and other seemingly exciting opportunities present themselves to you, it is almost impossible to resist(But it is not impossible). I made a lot of poor decisions during that flat time in my marriage. The ramifications could have been so much worse, but the consequences will never go away. I can only  thank and praise God for His mercy and unfailing love to me.

I cannot help but look at the picture and think of the words of Dan Fogelberg’s song;

Along the Road

Along the road
Your steps may stumble
Your thoughts may start to stray
But through it all a heart held humble
Levels and lights your way.

The Bible calls God’s Word “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” that is true and that is how I got back to the road.

Another exceptional truth is, that as long as we are looking back when we are trying to move forward…we will stumble. The apostle Paul, had some thing transforming to say about this.

He was born a Roman and a Hebrew. Both gave him many rights, much authority and power. He lived during the time when the Christian church emerged and by Jewish and civil law, he was educated and zealous in the murders of people following Jesus. He then had a life changing encounter with Christ, and began to defend the faith. He now had great understanding and knowledge concerning both sides of the argument.He also had great understanding of forgiveness and mercy- and most Christians would look at him as a man who “attained” it, who made it, who “got this”.

He said “not that I have already attained”  He continued; “I do not count my self to have apprehended; but one thing I do…..Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching for those things that are ahead.” Phil 3:13

One thing I do.…forget what is behind and reach for those things that are ahead! Easier said than done. It is not easy to forget what you have done, especially when it has caused a great disturbance not just in your life but other’s lives as well.  I think it is human nature that we should wallow in self condemnation until we have reached a sufficient penance..and some religion’s teach this. But this is not the way God deals with us, that is the way people deal with us-or we deal with ourselves.

God is instantaneous in His forgiveness when we ask. God, through Jesus Chris, answers us with “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more” (John 8:11), “Though you sins are as scarlet, They will be white as snow”( Is. 1:18),”If he sins against you seven times in a day and returns to you saying, ‘I repent’, you shall forgive him.” (Luke 17:4), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:8) God is outlandish and lavish in His Forgiveness toward us as proved through Jesus’ death on the cross!

This amazing forgiveness is what I have personally been experiencing and my husband and I have also been as well. It is not from this world. It is super-natural! Forgiveness is a beautiful, precious gift and Christianity’s pinnacle!

When doubts and thoughts clamor at the door of your mind- deal with it! Have you asked God to forgive you, or do you just keep thinking about it? If you have not asked for forgiveness, do it now. If you have, meditate on the scriptures that I listed above and look up more of them. I do not know any one who does not need to hear this good news! I hope it has challenged and been renewing to you today.

What are your thoughts on forgetting what is behind?  We want to hear from you today!

Bloom Where You're Planted

September 23, 2016

As I was taking a walk this morning, I found this little flower growing in a crack of an abandoned runway. It immediately reminded me to “Bloom Where You’re Planted”!

As this little flower has found itself (by no fault of it’s own- I might add) trying to grow amidst hard, stony ground with out all the proper nutrients or enough shade or water, I can feel that way too some times. We can even put ourselves in those positions through choices we have made.

None the less, let us forget what is behind and press forward toward the prize. Let us dig our convictions and commitments down deep and stay firmly planted not growing weary so that we will produce a harvest (or a flower;-).

The fruit comes from the commitment and the perseverance of staying -not manufacturing fruit! Stay the course!

This flower’s extreme perseverance in the hot sun all summer reminds me of Vetiver!! It is an Essential Oil that has many excellent properties including being used as a treatment for sun stroke and dehydration! It is also helpful for healing wounds and scars, it is anti-inflammatory and anti -septic as well as boosts the immune system!

We want to encourage you today in your life’s journey and give you inspiration in your calling and goals! Is there a custom blend that could support your routine? Give us a call today:-)

Doubts

August 9, 2016

We all have them. Those incessant nags about all of our decisions. Doubting is negative, it is  not helpful or healthy to be a doubter. It provides nothing positive in our life.  According to “The Feeling Wheel” developed by Dr. Gloria Wilcox, being skeptical has it’s root in the emotion of being mad.

If I am considering holistic health, I examine how this habit can affect my over all health. I have been challenged by what I have been reading lately.Hannah Whitall Smith wrote this in 1875 concerning doubts;  Do not stop to argue out the matter with yourself or with your doubts. Pay no attention to them what ever, but treat them with the utmost contempt. Shut your door in their very face and emphatically deny every word they say to you.  She wrote a whole chapter on the matter in her book; The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life. 

The Bible itself explicitly teaches not to doubt.

In Matthew 21:21

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

I have been on a mission of renewing my mind for many years, but much more fervently the last several months. I have overcome an addiction by God’s grace and I see things much clearer than I ever have in my life. I realize that doubting has been an such a hindrance in my life- I never realized how much I participated in it.

I encourage you to take this challenge with me. Look doubt in the face and tell it to go back from where it came from! Like Hannah Whitall Smith said, “pay no attention to doubt what so ever. Then let the doubts clamor as they may, they cannot hurt you if you will not let them in.”

An Essential Oil that we have high-lighted earlier and offers strength to self confidence and motivation is, Basil. What we need in the face of doubt is Courage! So renew your mind and support your over all health with essential oils like Basil.

We want to hear from you today! Tell us how you have over come doubt in your life!

Peace

August 3, 2016

Doesn’t peace sound good? Summer can be so hectic …I always think when summer starts, it is going to be a relief! Ha! That is is so far from the truth! In many ways the schedule is so much busier than the school year. There is a sense of grabbing every event or activity you can, knowing it will shortly come to an end.

But this life style or the stress of living daily life cannot persist with out getting worn out. Peace. Just the word is calming. In Hannah Whitall Smith’s book, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, she penned this phrase; “There is such a thing as having one’s soul kept in perfect peace, now and in this life; and childlike trust in God is the key to it’s attainment.”

Ok, I’ll take that! What does it look like? An illustration Smith used in the book was about a friend who was very much struck with taking her burdens to The Lord. She could not alter her circumstances but handed them over in to His management. She then left all of the responsibility and worry and anxiety with Him. As often as they returned, she took them back to Him. As a result the circumstances remained unchanged but her soul was kept in perfect peace in the midst of them. She decided to always hand them over to the “Divine Burden-bearer” as fast as they would arise.

I find encouragement in that today, and I hope you do as well. We have done a lot of blogs on Lavender, which is a great central nervous system calmer. We cannot sell you Peace out of a bottle, but we can help facilitate it with a little essential oil!! The giving of your burdens over, is up to you:-)

We want to hear from you today! Tell us about you peace in your life!

Wounds

July 16, 2016

“I will restore health to you And heal all of your wounds”, says The Lord. Jeremiah 30:17

Wounds: anguish, bruise, cut, damage, distress, gash, grief, harm, heartbreak, hurt, insult, pain, shock, slash, torment….and the list goes on. I need some of that healing, how about you?

How we have all been physically, emotionally, or spiritually wounded- in varying degrees just living in this life. Even if we are in a physical accident that can not only require physical healing, but  many times requires emotional healing from the shock of it all.

It gives me great comfort to know that God has promised that to those who turn to Him to receive it! I see it happening in my life and see it happening in the lives of those around me.

On the essential oil side there is a great oil for wounds. Especially for slow-healing wounds.  Myrrhr, the ancient oil written about thousands of years ago, is perfect for  Use Myrrh for SKIN HEALING (mature skin, scars, inflammation, eczema). It may also be beneficial in blends for coughs, colds, and congestion.( Pompeii Organics)

So, do fester those wounds, don’t ruminate on them, don’t pick at them! Get healed and bring healing to others<3 Have you tried Myrrh? We want to hear from you today!

Look How Far You've Come

June 21, 2016

This pic was sent to me from a friend visiting the Eiffel Tower last week. There are between 1600 and 1700 steps to climb!! They have kindly marked every 10 steps so you can see how far you have come and estimate how many steps left to go!

I told him I wished God had done that in  life during the difficult times! So being a therapist, he encouraged me to look back over a particular difficult situation and give names to the various stages I have come through and see how far I have come.

I pass that wisdom to you! Have you recently regained some health? Have you repaired a relationship? Have you changed an attitude? How far have you come? If you have not started, start today! It is NEVER too late to turn and change!

To help support your attitude as you are on your way, mix 3 drops of Bergamot with 3 drops of Clary Sage in 1 ounce of coconut oil. Massage in to wrists and inhale deeply!

How far have you come? Give us your story, we want to hear from you today!!

Greener Pastures and Rotten Branches

June 7, 2016

After a major failure on my part as a person, a friend of mine shared this page of his Spurgeon devotional.

“There are many who have basked in the sunshine in the early stages of their Christian life; they have walked along the green pastures by the side of the still waters. But suddenly they find that the glorious sky is clouded; instead of the promised land they have to endure the wilderness; in place of sweet waters, they find troubled streams, bitter to their taste, and they say, “surely, if I were a child of God this would not happen.” Do not say that if you are walking in darkness. The best of God’s saints must drink the bitter potion; the dearest of His children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed the perpetual prosperity; no believer can always keep his heart in constant tune. Perhaps the Lord gave you in the beginning a smooth an unclouded path because you were weak and timid. He moderated the wind on account of your weakness, but now that you are stronger in the spiritual life, you must enter upon the riper and rougher experience of God’s full grown children. We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith, to tear off the rotten branches of self-reliance, and to root more firmly in Christ. The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.”

My husband reminded me, when we wander off a path, it isn’t usually a smooth asphalted path we return immediately to. It is usually an un walked path full of obstacles and cragginess that can make us stumble and even fall again.Eventually, if we persist, we make our way fully back to the clearing and on to the smooth path. Thank you husband for that loving reminder;-)

The day of evil did reveal it self to me as having even more value in my glorious hope than I had ever imagined! I am strengthened in faith because I could not, and still do not always see the forest through the trees. Tearing off that “do it your self spirit” and performance based acceptance that has become rotteness in me and rooting myself instead to the All Powerful Creator who lives inside of me. Who cares for me and has a future and a hope far greater and far above what I could ever ask or think…who loves me with an ever lasting, ever pursuing love.

No matter where you are, or where you have been…do not give up! It may be a rough road to navigate through. You may not even believe you are on the right road because of the narrowness and difficulty of it. But you are and you will show the luscious fruit of the journey on your newly grown branches if you do not grow weary in your journey.

I am right here, walking it with you!! We want to hear from you today! Check out our Allegheny Woods Lotion and Hand Soap on Amazon.com. Use it as you are frontiering your new territory and forming your new habits<3

Memorial Day Weekend

May 27, 2016

Hello everyone, happy Friday! This is a big weekend in our American lives! A lot of things change for us over this weekend. In our case, school is over for the year, summer activities begin, and beaches and amusement parks open.

I know we have a few picnics we are attending this weekend- how about you? In all of the activities and change of schedules, let us take a minute and thank the men and women who have helped make it possible for us to enjoy such freedoms and ease.

Our son has joined the Navy and we will be experiencing that new facet letting him go, not knowing where he is at times, and not seeing him for extended periods. It is a sacrifice, and it is a sacrifice for him and all who serve to lay down their lives to work toward peace and safety in our land.

My grandfather was a marine and served in one of the most difficult battles in France in World War 1 ….he was never the same. My uncle was a marine and made it through the Korean war….he was never the same. They took an immense amount pressure, suffering and pain to assure the freedoms we have today. They layed a “normal life” down and suffered difficulties the rest of their lives  so we could enjoy these pleasures in our life. I thank them.

I cannot help but stop and think about Jesus Christ who did that on the ultimate scale. It was not His will to die on a cross for the sin of the world. But He chose to suffer and sacrifice on our behalf so that we could enjoy the freedom of living with the Father for eternity. I thank Him.

Take a moment and be thankful for that! I hope you are blessed this weekend in what ever you choose to do. And if you are looking for a way to curb those picnic ants and keep mosquitoes and bugs away….try some rose geranium and cedarwood for those flying insects and diatomaceous earth for the ants:-)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend<3

Keep Seeking

Published May 25, 2016

Getting ready for summer? I am! I had a taste of it last week while we were in Florida! The sand, the sun, the waves….Oh I love summmmmmerrrr!!!

So, how are you doing on your health goals? Have you made any improvements? What are you seeking to attain? Having more energy? Creating a positive out look? Loosing a few pounds? Building some muscle?

Don’t give up.This scripture gives me great encouragement today, I hope it does for you as well. “Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, an he who seeks, finds, an to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

I hope some of our previous blogs inspire you. Read the blog  we did on progress….as well as many others we have on encouragement.

Keep up with your journey. Keep at it…it takes perseverance- make up your mind and proceed! I am right here with you, I need your encouragement, and I want to give you mine.

Blessings on your day<3

The Clouds

Published May 13, 2016

This blew my mind this morning….”It is not true to say that God wants to teach us some thing in our trials; through every cloud He brings, He wants us to unlearn some thing.” Oswald Chambers

Which leads me to ask myself the question; “what do I need to un learn?”….Oh, I could think of a lot of things!! So I ask you…what do you need to un learn? Bad habits,bad relational styles,  hang ups, addictions?

Wise man that Oswald Chambers!! After he has been long gone, he is still challenging us today. So, look at “The clouds in your life” and see them as an opportunity for change. Really nothing can change until you can change how you think about it. It is not easy, but it is possible. It might take all the energy you have every day, but as you persist, it will get easier. You will look back at some point and realize how far you’ve come!

As you enter your weekend, consider what things you could un learn and think about new things you could learn in it’s place. Here is some thing new for you to learn…..as far as summer pests go, nothing is as strong as cedarwood ! It really helps curb ticks and other bugs! We are making a new tick spray for summer using cedarwood!

What things do you need to un learn in your life? Have you ever used cedarwood? We want to hear from you today!!

Happy Spring!

Originally published May 9, 2016

This lovely printed towel was given to me by my daughter on Mother’s Day! My children know I love the French Country type of decor which is the back drop of our Honest Aromas displays<3

The bird reminded me of spring….right now as a matter of fact, I am listening to all of the birds out side singing their Spring songs.

The bike speaks to me of perseverance! We love bike riding as a family, and use the bike trails that we have in this area of NW Pennsylvania often. But lately, I have been fighting a “give up” feeling. Not with riding bikes on the trails! But with in myself. Just not wanting push through some of the difficulties I have been facing.

In the past I have done that well. Give up! Or just do not begin any thing new to start with! But I am determined to leave this life better for having lived in it. I am not by any means successful all of the time. As a matter of fact, I have failed miserably at being a person at times. I have let my self- and others who love me down, majorly.

But I was reminded this morning while reading and listening to the birds, that nothing comes to life, until there has been a death. Spring. All the things from the previous year fall into the ground and decompose and then come to life again when the season comes around.

I am taking notice of my surroundings and of these great truths…

John 12:24

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

I want to produce many seeds in this life! It gives me the encouragement to Keep Going (from Break The Cycle) even when I feel like giving up. I hope that I have encouraged you in some way to persevere today- and produce many seeds in your life.

Speaking of seeds, our Carrot Seed Facial has piqued a lot of interest lately! It is an excellent cleanser, but it also has many skin cancer fighting properties making it excellent for the summer and the sun. …it has a high SPF as well. So check it out and see what you think!

We want to hear from you today!

Someone to Blame

Originally Published April 25, 2016

Connection is some thing that we all need. There are three areas  that will completely destroy that connection and those relationships that we desire if we give them any opening in our lives.  Last week we blogged on shame... Today we are talking about blame.

I can talk about this from a position of authority because, unfortunately, I have mastered it. I have shamed, I have been ashamed, I have blamed, I have been blamed through my choices and then subsequent behaviors. Unless we get to the root of the problem( it doesn’t matter what area of life we are speaking of, friendships, marriage, parenting, work relationships) it will destroy the fabric that seemingly holds relationship together.

Robert McGee in Search for Significance  says; ” Many have been broken by the false belief-those who fail are unworthy of love and deserve to be punished. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we all tend to point an accusing finger, assigning blame for virtually every failure. Whenever we fail to receive approval for our performance, we are likely to search for a reason….a culprit….or a scapegoat. More often than not, we can find no one but ourselves to blame, so the accusing finger points right back at us. Self condemnation is a severe for m of punishment.”

Another reason we seek to blame he says; “Is that our success often depends on their contribution. Their failure is a threat to us. When the failure of another blocks our goal of success, we usually respond by defending ourselves and blaming them, often using condemnation to manipulate them to improve  their performance.”

OUCH, OUCH, OUCH!!!! Oh, I see that in myself with my relationships with my children especially and I have gone to them and told them I have failed miserably here! I also see how I have done that to my husband over the years….it would be so easy for me to shame myself (because I am guilty) but I will choose to forgive myself and instead make very necessary changes.

So guilt is definitely a part of this shame and blame in our lives. Dr. Henry Cloud  in his book Changes That Heal says; ” Guilt and shame too often sends us into hiding. If we have to hide, we cannot get help for our needs and brokenness; we cannot become “poor in Spirit” and therefore be blessed. When grace comes along and says that we are not condemned for who we truly are, then guilt can begin to be resolved, an we can begin to heal.”

So if we are working toward connection and healing in our lives, we need to eradicate shame and blame from our lives. We need to help facilitate healing to others and to ourselves. Easier said than done….we all want to blame some one or some thing when some thing goes wrong, it is our nature. But if we want to live a life of healing and connection with others, we have to walk in humility and understanding.

I want to grow….it hurts. I want to be a person who is full of grace and mercy knowing all the grace and mercy that has been shown to me. I want to encourage you on your walk as others have encouraged me. Has this been helpful to you? We want to hear from you today<3